James m



J. 1v1. HAYS.

RIDING SADDLE TREE.

(No Model.)

No. 354,135. Patented Deo. 14, 1886.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. HAYS, OF JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO THE J. S. SULLIVAN SADDLE TREE COMPANY, OF SAME PLAGE.

RIDINGSADDLE TREE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 354,135, dated December 14, 1886.

Application filed August 20, 1886. Serial No. 211,414. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES M. HAYS, of Jefferson City, Missouri, have made a new and useful Improvement in Saddle-Tree Forks, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and eX- ace description.

The improvement relates to the various conibinations hereinafter described and claimed;l

In the annexed drawings, making part of this specilication, and exhibiting the most desirable mode of carrying out the improvement,

Figure l isa rear elevation ofthe fork,the cap being removed. on the line 2 2of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the fork. Fig. 4l is avertical section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is afront elevation of the fork. Fig. 6 is a bottom View of the fork. Fig. 7 is another bottom View of the fork, the wooden block being removed from the interior of the fork. Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of the breast and side bars, and Fig. 9 is a View in perspective ofthe fork attached to the breast and side bars.

The same letters` of reference denote the same parts.

A, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, represents the fork, made of malleable iron, as is customary. As hitherto constructed saddle-tree forks Vare liable, under a severe strain, to spread to such an extent as to be materially injured. To prevent this I provide the fork with a central rib, a, Figs. 2, 6, 7, which extends across the crotch of the fork, beneath the opening upward into the hollow pommel a', and at each side ofthe fork the rib extends downward upon and is attached to or made part of the leg a2 of the fork. The rib is deepest at the center of the crotch, and runs ont at its lower ends. There are also ribs a3 a4, respectively, in front Fig. 2 is a vertical section and in rear of the rib a, which materially aid 4o in strengthening the fork. Of theselast-nanied ribs or langes,the front flange, as, com es against the rear face, b, of the breast B when the fork is in position, and the rear flange, a, serves to complete the construction in the opposite direction. The legs a2 of the fork are each notched at a5, Figs. 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, to admit the block C, which is fastened to the side bar, D, and serves to provide a place to which one of the saddle-straps (not shown) may be conveniently attached.

E represents a wooden block fitted into the fork between the rear flange, a4, and the central rib, a. The top of the pommel, which at that point is closed, is provided with a boss, a6, Figs. l, 2, 3, 9, for the purpose of better securing the cap F,which is fitted onto the pommel and fastened thereto by means of a screw, (not shown,) passing downward through the cap into the boss a", which is threaded to receive it.

I claiml. The combination of the saddle-tree fork having the flange a3 with the breast B and the side bars, D D, said breast abutting against said flange, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the forkA and the side bars, DD, said fork being notched at each side to provide for attaching the strap, substantially as described.

8. The saddle-tree fork A, having the flange 0L4 and the rib a, and the wooden block E, inserted between said flange and block, substantially as described.

JAMES M. HAYS.

Vitnesses:

OscAE G. BURCH, A. J. BAUER. 

